St Mary Mackillop Visit - Year 7 Transition

St Mary Mackillop Visit – Mr Ben Horrocks

Today we were joined by Mr Horrocks and some ex-students to discuss with us some of the finer points of what the students can expect when they attend High School next year.

I asked the students to share the best piece of advice that they received today either from Mr Horrocks or the students Cam, Lily, Lahni and Charlie.

Have your child show you our Edmodo page to see what they learnt!

There will be more information about the Mackillop Parent Information Evening (date TBA) and the Year 6 Orientation Day (25th November) coming in the next few weeks. I am just waiting to have some of the final details confirmed.

For the Orientation Day, students are asked to wear their Coloured House T-Shirt.

During the presentation I took some notes to share with you (the parents) so that you can have some idea of what was discussed today.  Much of what I am sharing with you today will be information given to you again at the Parent Information Evening.

Here is a summary of some of the points shared with the students today:

Extracurricular involvement is encouraged – opportunities are given to those students who go above and beyond and are prepared to be involved in their school community.

ICT – students will be provided with a laptop. The students will be responsible for taking their laptop to and from all classes and for the care of it at home. They will need to be brought to school fully charged each day.

Daily Life –

Homeroom – students will begin each day in home room with their assigned teacher. This will last for 15 minutes and this time will be spent getting themselves organised for the first two periods of the day and checking in with any messages.

Planners – these will be given to the students on their first day and this contains their timetables, maps and other important information. These are to be taken to every class.

Locker – these will be given to the students on the first day with a lock and a combination. Mr Horrocks reassured the students that they would get plenty of time to familiarise themselves with their padlock and how to keep an orderly locker.

Classroom Movement – for the first year the students will spend most of their time in one room within the Year 7 area.

Mr Horrocks was very clear that the most important aspect to a successful transition was organisation.

He said that the students were to bring the following items with them to every class at all times.

What to bring –
  • ·         Laptop
  • ·         Pencil Case – red and blue pens, ruler, glue, scissors and colouring in equipment
  • ·         Planner
  • ·         A4 Plastic Sleeve Folders (1 per subject) – Mr Horrocks said that all papers would be kept in these and they were lightweight and easy to transport.


Time Management – there are no sirens/bells to indicate that lessons are beginning or ending. There are no clocks in classrooms. All students are encouraged to wear a watch and be responsible for getting themselves to and from classes and break times on time.

Homework – there is an expectation that students will complete 45 minutes of Homework each night. This is what the students have been completing currently so there should not be too much adjustment.
Mr Horrocks has said that if they are consistently spending more time than this on Homework they are to speak with him.

Assessments – there will be approximately 4 of these a term with a different weighting. These will vary by subject.

Final Thoughts –
Mr Horrocks –
·         Be an active learner – not passive! Ask questions if you are not sure about anything!
·         We are here to help you every step of the way!

Students – Lahni, Charlie, Cam and Lily
·         Be organised – practise this in the remaining weeks of Term.
·         Use your planner!
·         Be kind!
·         Make an effort to meet new people.
·         Look after your belongings.
·         Try your best!
·         Wear your uniform correctly.

·         You will be fine!



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